The Welfare of Australians (SWSP1011)

Course overview

The Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) and the Bachelor of Social Work programs are accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). The AASW Accreditation Standards (2020) stipulate that accredited social work programs are required to include content that addresses the five core curriculum areas listed below. SWSP1011 contains content in curriculum areas 1, 2 and 3. 1. Constructions of social work purpose, place, and practice 2. Power, oppression, and exploitation 3. The history and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 4. Culture, identity, and discrimination 5. Psychosocial health and wellbeing across the lifecycle

Welcome to SWSP1011.ﾠ Iﾠhope you enjoy this course.

This course introduces a range of key contemporary themes relating to the welfare of Australians, including issues of poverty and inequality, and the structures and institutions that make up the Australian welfare state. These themes, including access to support and resources, are examined in relation to a range of social groups including disadvantaged families, people experiencing homelessness, health consumers, people living with disability,ﾠand marginalised workers.ﾠ

Many students taking this course are planning a career in the social work, social policy, and welfare fields. This course provides an understanding the challenges many face in Australian society,ﾠexplores the welfare structures, and considers the nature of assistance available. We will learn how welfare in Australia benefits some but not all to the same extent. Throughout the course the ideas presented will also relate to you, your families and friends, and your community. As such how welfare is distributed in Australiaﾠis also an ideological activity.ﾠ

News reports and current affairs commonly discuss issues central to this course; it is helpful to engage with quality media as it will assist your learning in this course.

I look forward to meeting and working with you.

Maree

Course requirements

Assumed background

This is a first year course. No background for this course is assumed.

To undertake your studies at UQ you will need to be familiar with the Library - you will mainly (but not exclusively use) the CentralﾠLibrary. The library is going to become an essential part of your learning at UQ. Please visit Central library. Spend time on the website. Go to : https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/services-studentsﾠ ﾠWatch the Discover the Library video. Familiarise yourself with the services.

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

SW105

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

This course involves 2 hours of lectures and a 1 hour tutorial each week.ﾠ All are held in person on campus.ﾠﾠThe dates and times for classes are accessed through my.UQ.

I hope to have additional catch ups during the semester to discuss assessment.ﾠ Iﾠwill let you know when they are to happen.ﾠﾠ

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to introduce a range of key contemporary themes relating to the welfare of Australians, including issues of poverty and inequality, citizenship and diversity. Specifically, the course will seek to develop:

Beginning knowledge, appreciation and critical understanding of:

• the interaction of individuals, community and society;
• the institutional and contextual responses to the promotion of wellbeing in Australian society.

Ability and capacity to:

• evaluate opinions and evidence;
• make informed decisions;
• reflect critically on the justifications for decisions and beliefs; and
• apply conceptual frameworks to the analysis of and response to issues, phenomena and problems in social work practice.

Emergent:

• self awareness, particularly in relation to personal beliefs, strengths and limitations;
• cultural and social awareness; and
• a commitment to engage in civil society as an active and responsible citizen

This course will also provide support and assistance to students in their adjustment to the university learning environment. We will aim to enhance your skills in:

• essay writing skills;
• critical reading skills;
• cooperative learning experience; and
• confidence in debate and dialogue.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Assignment 1

• Team or group-based

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

20% Marked out of 100.

Due date

2/04/2025 1:00 pm

Week 6

Learning outcomes

L02, L05, L06, L07

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submit through Turnitin in the Assessment Section/Assignment 1 of the SWSP1011 Blackboard site. Use a docx format not pdf.

Submission: All courses require students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard. Please check the companion website assessment area for specific instructions on this process. A link will be made available under the tab Assessment / Assignment 1 of your Blackboard course to allow you to submit your assignment electronically.

The anti-plagiarism software TURNITIN is being used at UQ. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard, using the TURNITIN software. Work submitted may be subjected to a plagiarism detection process. If this process is used, then copies of this work would be retained and used as source material for conducting future plagiarism checks. Please refer to ITS help if you experience difficulties in submitting your assignments in Blackboard or using TURNITIN as instructed on the companion website.

By submitting your assignment, you are certifying that it is your original work and that where you have used the ideas or writing of other authors this has been acknowledged according to accepted academic guidelines. Further it has not been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at university (unless resubmission is part of the requirements for the course assessment). You need to ensure you have completed the university’s academic integrity module before you submit your assignment.

Use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and/or MT (Machine Translation)

Refer to full details in the Assessment Section/Assignment 1 of the SWSP1011 Blackboard site.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Applying for an extension

Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved.

Information about applying for an extension can be found on my.UQ.

Extension guidelines

• Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline.
• Extension requests must state the due date and the due time of the assessment.
• Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request. 
• The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than 2 weeks in duration.
• Students on a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests must still adhere to the extensions request policy outlined. Students need to attach the SAP and a note outlining their current situation with the online extension application. A maximum of 7 days will be granted for applications on the basis of an SAP. An extension request beyond 7 days will require additional supporting information as this request will not be considered on the basis of the SAP, but rather additional events (whether they relate to the circumstances of the SAP or not).

Outcome of application

• Extension requests are generally processed within 2 working days. Students can see the outcome of their application by logging in to my.UQ.
• Appeals against a refusal of an extension should be lodged through the Student Grievance Resolution process outlined on my.UQ.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Penalties for late submission

• Assessments submitted late will have 10% of the maximum mark available deducted per day (including weekends and public holidays).
• Work submitted more than 7 days after the due date without an approved extension will not receive a mark.
• Please note for pass/fail assessment there is no daily loss of marks. Assessment that is submitted late is given zero marks.

Assignment 2

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

40% Marked out of 100.

Due date

7/05/2025 1:00 pm

Week 10

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L05, L06, L07

Task description

Submission guidelines

Submit through Turnitin in the Assessment Section/Assignment 1 of the SWSP1011 Blackboard site. Use a docx format not pdf.

Submission: All courses require students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard. Please check the companion website assessment area for specific instructions on this process. A link will be made available under the tab Assessment / Assignment 2 of your Blackboard course to allow you to submit your assignment electronically.

The anti-plagiarism software TURNITIN is being used at UQ. The electronic version of your assignment will be submitted via Blackboard, using the TURNITIN software. Work submitted may be subjected to a plagiarism detection process. If this process is used, then copies of this work would be retained and used as source material for conducting future plagiarism checks. Please refer to ITS help if you experience difficulties in submitting your assignments in Blackboard or using TURNITIN as instructed on the companion website.

By submitting your assignment, you are certifying that it is your original work and that where you have used the ideas or writing of other authors this has been acknowledged according to accepted academic guidelines. Further it has not been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at university (unless resubmission is part of the requirements for the course assessment). You need to ensure you have completed the university’s academic integrity module before you submit your assignment.

Use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and/or MT (Machine Translation)

Refer to full details in the Assessment Section/Assignment 1 of the SWSP1011 Blackboard site.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

Applying for an extension

Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved.

Information about applying for an extension can be found on my.UQ.

Extension guidelines

• Extension requests should be submitted prior to the assessment deadline.
• Extension requests must state the due date and the due time of the assessment.
• Requests for extensions received after the assessment item submission due date may not be approved. Late requests must include evidence of the reasons for the late request. 
• The extension granted should be in proportion to the period of illness or disruption caused by the exceptional circumstances and will typically be no more than 2 weeks in duration.
• Students on a Student Access Plan (SAP) with a clause on extension requests must still adhere to the extensions request policy outlined. Students need to attach the SAP and a note outlining their current situation with the online extension application. A maximum of 7 days will be granted for applications on the basis of an SAP. An extension request beyond 7 days will require additional supporting information as this request will not be considered on the basis of the SAP, but rather additional events (whether they relate to the circumstances of the SAP or not).

Outcome of application

• Extension requests are generally processed within 2 working days. Students can see the outcome of their application by logging in to my.UQ.
• Appeals against a refusal of an extension should be lodged through the Student Grievance Resolution process outlined on my.UQ.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Penalties for late submission

• Assessments submitted late will have 10% of the maximum mark available deducted per day (including weekends and public holidays).
• Work submitted more than 7 days after the due date without an approved extension will not receive a mark.
• Please note for pass/fail assessment there is no daily loss of marks. Assessment that is submitted late is given zero marks.

Final Exam

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

40%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Students must submit all pieces of assessment and achieve an overall mark of 50% to pass this course.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Supplementary Assessment

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, or a non-graded ‘N’, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment.

Supplementary assessment may not be available for all courses, or for some of the assessment items for a course. The highest grade you can receive following supplementary assessment is a 4 or P. Details of availability of supplementary assessment for this course are set out below.

Supplementary Assessment is available for this Course.

Refer to my.UQ for how to apply for supplementary assessment.

Supplementary assessment can take any form, for example, an oral or a written exam. Students who are eligible and approved for a supplementary assessment and the form of assessment is an examination, are expected to be available to sit the supplementary exam during the University’s Deferred and Supplementary examination period. Once approved, supplementary assessment cannot be rescinded by the student.

In the case of a student requiring a supplementary assessment for this course, the supplementary assessment will be designed to address those components of the final assessment task where the student has yet to demonstrate achievement of the required learning objectives. The supplementary assessment will be graded against a marking rubric which will be made available with the release of the supplementary assessment item. The marking rubric will be reflective that a grade of 4 is the highest grade possible in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted.

Deferred Examination

If a student has missed or will miss an examination (including an in-class examination during teaching weeks) the student may apply for a deferred examination. Applications may be approved for medical reasons or exceptional circumstances, or there is a once-off discretionary deferred examination, as per the guidelines in my.UQ Deferring an exam

For an explanation of the procedure for applying please see How to apply

Plagiarism

All your assignments are submitted via Turnitin - this software checks every piece for plagiarism. This is policy at the University of Queensland.

Plagiarism, collusion and cheating will not be tolerated. All identified cases are referred to the Executive Dean as per UQ Policy and Procedures.

There are resources available to help you understand plagiarism. Go to:ﾠ https://web.library.uq.edu.au/research-tools-techniques/digital-essentials/write-cite-submit?p=1#1

Section 2 is on plagiarsim.ﾠ Undertake the module 3.60.04 Student Integrity and Misconduct.

UQ'sﾠAcademic Integrity modules (AIM)ﾠareﾠcompulsoryﾠand will help you learn what academic integrity is, why it is so important, and how you can act withﾠintegrity in your studies.

The modules are in two parts and it will take about an hour to complete each of them. Complete Part A by theﾠcensus dateﾠand Part B by the end of Week 13.

If you are unsure please discuss it with Maree - I amﾠhappy to help.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

This course uses both lectures and tutorials for your learning.ﾠAttending both lectures and tutorials is essential for engaging with the course material, discussing the ideas in the course, and thinking of how welfare impacts on people's lives.

Further, the tutorials will help you prepare you for assessment tasks.ﾠ

University Learning Resources

Access to required and recommended resources, plus past central exam papers, is available at the UQ Library website (http://www.library.uq.edu.au/lr/SWSP4181).

The University offers a range of resources and services to support student learning. Details are available on the myUQ website (https://my.uq.edu.au/).

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Learning Resources

In order to undertake assessment and course activities students will need access to a computer that is connected to the internet and their UQ email. Please see the Library website for information on accessing Library computers.

eLearning

The course has a Blackboard (Bb) site that has information and some learning material in regards to the course. Students will be required to become proficient in accessing and using the Blackboard site. To access Blackboard log in to my.UQ and click on the ‘eLearning’ link on the left hand menu, or via https://learn.uq.edu.au/.

Assessment and Assignment Writing Guide

Please visit https://nmsw.uq.edu.au/assessment on the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work website for information about assessment.

Student Support Services

Student Support Services provide an integrated professional service in the areas of careers and employment, learning assistance, personal counselling, disability support, financial services and international student support. For more information on individual services offered please go to: http://www.sss.uq.edu.au

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Additional learning activity information

The course content is delivered in both lectures and tutorials. Students are required to undertake the reading prior to each class. There is no reading for Week 1.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.